press charges
idiom
: to take legal action against someone : to officially accuse someone of a crime
He was caught shoplifting, but the store owner didn't press charges.
Examples of press charges in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His account of events was inconsistent, but investigators did not have enough evidence to press charges, the department said.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Read Next Crime & Courts CMPD crime lab analyst under investigation over ‘irregularities’ in tests, DA says
March 27, 2024 1:01 PM
The SBI turned over its findings last week, and Merriweather must now review the case file and decide whether or not to press charges.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
The good news for Worthy is that the Austin Statesman said Saturday night that Williamson County authorities declined to press charges against Worthy.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025
Pack nevertheless wanted to press charges, but Sparks stopped returning her calls.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Read Next Crime & Courts CMPD crime lab analyst under investigation over ‘irregularities’ in tests, DA says
March 27, 2024 1:01 PM
The SBI turned over its findings last week, and Merriweather must now review the case file and decide whether or not to press charges.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
The good news for Worthy is that the Austin Statesman said Saturday night that Williamson County authorities declined to press charges against Worthy.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025
Pack nevertheless wanted to press charges, but Sparks stopped returning her calls.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share